Chapter 2.63
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION

Sections:

2.63.010    Established.

2.63.020    Purpose.

2.63.030    Responsibilities.

2.63.040    Terms of office.

2.63.050    Qualifications.

2.63.070    Organization.

2.63.010 Established.

There is established a borough agricultural commission within the office of the mayor. The commission shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the assembly. (Ord. 88-050 § 2, 1988)

2.63.020 Purpose.

The purpose of the commission is to study, investigate and make recommendations to the mayor and assembly on the development and stabilization of a firm agricultural economic base within the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Agriculture is an emerging economy in the borough, and conditions can be improved to the economic benefit of both consumers and producers of agricultural products. It is intended that development planning by the commission will bring about an improved and lasting change in the quality of life in interior Alaska by promoting agricultural self-sufficiency insofar as practical. It is in the best interest of the borough to promote the orderly development of its presently accessible agricultural lands, and preserve for future development those viable agricultural lands under the control of the borough which are not presently accessible. To this end, the commission shall cooperate with other state, local, and national groups to assure that any nonagricultural development of borough lands with high agricultural potential will be accomplished in such manner as not to destroy that agricultural potential. The commission is charged with promoting coordination with other boroughs and governments of the state of Alaska, and with making recommendations to the borough assembly and the mayor on methods by which other governments of the state may be involved. The commission may recommend persons to represent the Fairbanks North Star Borough on any state, local, or national body which works to further the purposes of agriculture in the state of Alaska. (Ord. 88-050 § 2, 1988)

2.63.030 Responsibilities.

The commission shall in correlation with the land department and the economic development department offices:

A. Determine the agricultural potential of remaining lands in possession of the borough, and recommend to the assembly methods of developing those lands or retaining the agricultural potential for future development;

B. Consider types and qualities of agricultural products which will meet the present and growing needs of the local markets;

C. Investigate methods for marketing of locally grown farm products and accumulate marketing information regarding these products;

D. Examine processing and storage needs for these products;

E. Seek methods for financing agricultural development;

F. Represent the borough in liaison with agriculturally oriented organizations on all agricultural matters;

G. Advise the borough assembly and the mayor on all matters related to agriculture and its development in the borough. (Ord. 88-050 § 2, 1988)

2.63.040 Terms of office.

Appointed members of the commission shall serve a term of three years. Initial appointments shall be three members for one year, two members for two years, and two members for three years so that the terms of one or more members shall end each year. (Ord. 88-050 § 2, 1988)

2.63.050 Qualifications.

Members of the commission shall be adult residents of the borough and shall have a wide range of experience in agriculture, land management, finance marketing, agricultural economics and other related fields. (Ord. 88-050 § 2, 1988)

2.63.070 Organization.

The members of the commission shall elect one of their number annually to serve as chairman of the commission, and shall hold at least one regular meeting quarterly, and such additional meetings as is deemed necessary. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of the commission’s meetings unless it adopts its own rules. Offices other than chairman may be elected by the commission as it deems necessary to conduct its affairs in an orderly manner. (Ord. 88-050 § 2, 1988)